Charles Edward Andrews was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England on 18 January 1893. He was the son of Henry Jeremiah Andrews (1857-?), a seaman, and Emily Ann Roberton (1859-1920). Both his parents were originally from Southampton and had married there in 1879, moving northward shortly after, settling in Liverpool where they started their family.
Charles was one of eight children born to his parents, his surviving siblings being: George Henry (b. 1881), Amy Jane (b. 1885), Laura Annie (b. 1887), Alick Roberton (b. 1891), Albert (b. 1895) and Harry (b. 1898).
Charles first appears on the 1891 census when he and his family were living at Oakleigh on Bedford Road, Walton on the Hill, Liverpool. He and his family later returned to and settled in Southampton and appear on the 1911 census living at 145 Millbrook Road, Freemantle. Charles is absent and apparently at sea. Charles reportedly went to sea at age 15. A keen and accomplished swimmer, he would earn awards for his abilities. He would have his first brush with calamity when aboard the Olympic in September 1911 when she collided with HMS Hawke.
When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, Charles gave his address as 145 Millbrook Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Oceanic. As a steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s. Also serving aboard was his cousin George Roberton.
Andrews was rescued in lifeboat 16 and he later testified at the Senate Inquiry into the sinking.
....Besides these six men, I should think there were about fifty passengers. There was no effort on the part of the steerage men to get into our boat. I was told by the officer to allow none in it. When the officer started to fill the boat with passengers and the men to man it, there were no individuals who tried to get in, or that he permitted to get in. There was no confusion whatever. The officer asked me if I could take an oar. I said I could.....
Andrews signed-on to the Oceanic on 10 July 1912 and would continue working at sea during both World Wars, later serving on both the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth as a masseuse, Turkish bath attendant, swimming instructor and steward.
Charles Andrews in about 1919
(National Archives, courtesy of Gavin Bell, UK)
Charles was married in Millbrook Church, Southampton in 1932 to Ivy Winifred Powell (b. 1 January 1903 in Eling, Totton, Hants) and they had two children, Ann Marina (b. 1934) and John Edward (b. 1937). He eventually retired from the sea in 1959.
Charles Andrews died in Southampton on 2 January 1961 and his ashes were scattered in South Stoneham Cemetery, Swaythling in Section 6. His wife passed away in 1979.
Comment and discuss
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Does anyone have any information on Assistant Saloon Stewart Charles Edward Andrews? He apparently lived at Southampton Hampshire England and was 19 years old. He survived and gave evidence at the American inquiry I believe. I ask this because my name is Charles Andrews and my father and his father also had this name. I have one brother who is Edward Andrews. My father and his family came to Canada from England when he was just a boy and I believe they came from the Walsall area. I can't help but wonder if we are related to the assistant saloon stewart I speak of and what happened to him after the tragedy.
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Hi, Charlie. A connection is always possible, but Charles Andrews is quite a common name in both Britain and North America, and a great many Britons emigrated to Canada in the interwar period. The steward was born in the Liverpool Area, which isn't close to Walsall. If you want to check further, it's generally best to work back from your own family records rather than forward from the Titanic. But there may well be other members who have more information about the steward, so check back here for more postings. Good luck!
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Hello Charles, I am in contact with several of Charles' descendants. If you will e-mail me privately I will try to help. Kind Regards
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Charles - you may find the below useful this is from my database: ANDREWS, Charles Edward. Saved in Lifeboat 16. Lived at 145 Millbrook Road, Shirley, Southampton. Occupation - Second Class Steward. 19 years old. (Born in Liverpool). Ship before the Titanic - RMS Oceanic. Later served on the Aquitania as a Steward and later served on the Queen Mary as a Masseur and Swimming Pool Attendant until his retirement in 1959. He was married in 1932 at Millbrook Church, Southampton to Ivy Winifred Powell of Eling, Totton, Hants. He died in 1961. (C.E. Andrews, steward - American Enquiry page 623). Besides these six men, I should think there were about fifty passengers. There was no effort on the part of the steerage men to get into our boat. I was told by the officer to allow none in it. When the officer started to fill the boat with passengers and the men to man it, there were no individuals who tried to get in, or that he permitted to get in. There was no confusion whatever. The...
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> Hi Brian Thanks for the information Charlie Andrews
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can anyone help me my grandfathers brother worked as a steward and was on lifeboat 16 his name charles edward andrews
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Hello Karl, Have you looked at Charles Andrews' Biography on this web-site? If not on the opening page under People go to: - Crew List - Victualling Crew. Since he testified at the Senate Inquiry you can view his testimony under Resoures go to: - Titanic Inquiries - American Inquiry, Witnesses. I hope that helps.
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Karl - Here is my printout on Mr. Andrews: ANDREWS, Charles Edward. Saved in Lifeboat 16. Lived at 145 Millbrook Road, Shirley, Southampton. Occupation - Second Class Steward. 19 years old. (Born in Liverpool). Ship before the Titanic was the RMS Oceanic. Died on 2nd January 1961 and his ashes were scattered in South Stoneham Cemetery, Swaythling, Southampton in Section 6. Later served on the RMS Aquitania as a Steward and later served on the RMS Queen Mary as a Masseur and Swimming Pool Attendant until his retirement in 1959. He was married in 1932 at Millbrook Church, Southampton to Ivy Winifred Powell of Eling, Totton, Hants. He died in 1961. (C.E. Andrews, steward - American Enquiry page 623). Besides these six men, I should think there were about fifty passengers. There was no effort on the part of the steerage men to get into our boat. I was told by the officer to allow none in it. When the officer started to fill the boat with passengers and the men to man...
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Brian you might find this interesting. Annie Kelly survived in Lifeboat 16, lowered at 1.33am. This boat would have taken Kate and Mary Bourke, but they would not leave John, Kate's husband. Like John Bourke, James Flynn was also prevented from getting into that lifeboat. This is what Annie Kate Kelly told the Chicago Record- Herald in 1912: the article was reprinted in the Irish Independent at the time (Source Addergole: Its Land and People: Tony Donohue: 2005 p67)
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charles edward andrews was my grandfathers brother i remember him when i was a small nipper my grandads name was alfred andrews
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mick have you got the full list of lifeboat 16? it was my grandads brother charles edward andrews karl above is my friend we used to call him uncle did ( my uncle that is )
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> My name is Charles Andrews. I have a brother Edward. I have always > wondered if I was connected to the Charles Andrews on Titanic. My father > was Charles Andrews also and emigrated from England in 1927. Any info > about this I would greatly appreciate. Regards Charles Andrews
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From my copy of the Daily Mirror, April 21, 1912:
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